Compliments

1. Na yanuyanu e totoka sara!

   Na ya-nu-ya-nu e to-to-ka sa-ra

   The islands are truly beautiful!

   Usage

   Praising Fiji's islands. With 333 islands, this compliment never fails to please Fijians.

   Grammar Note

   "Sara" intensifies the adjective. Complimenting Fiji's islands and culture is always warmly received.

2. E totoka na cakau!

   E to-to-ka na tha-kau

   The coral reefs are amazing!

   Usage

   Fiji's coral reefs are world-class. The Great Sea Reef is the world's third largest, a source of national pride.

   Grammar Note

   "E totoka" predicates "beautiful/amazing". "Ika" = fish and "voivoi" = pandanus leaf, so they cannot be used for a reef. A reef is "cakau". c = [ð]. Fiji's marine environment is world-famous among divers.

3. Na isevusevu ni yaqona e vinaka sara!

   Na i-se-vu-se-vu ni yang-go-na e vi-na-ka sa-ra

   The kava (yaqona) ceremony is wonderful!

   Usage

   Showing respect for the traditional kava ceremony. Use after a village visit or resort kava experience.

   Grammar Note

   "q"="ngg" so "yaqona"="yang-gona". Participating in and praising the kava ceremony is one of the best Fijian cultural experiences. The ceremony has a dedicated name, "ai Sevusevu (ni yaqona)", used only of yaqona.

4. Na kai Viti e lomani!

   Na kai Vi-ti e lo-ma-ni

   The Fijian people are so kind!

   Usage

   The highest compliment for Fijians. Fiji consistently ranks among the world's happiest peoples in surveys.

   Grammar Note

   "Viti" is the Fijian name for Fiji. "Kai" means "person from". "Lomani" is the passive of "to love" = beloved/dear.

5. Na isulu e totoka!

   Na i-su-lu e to-to-ka

   The sulu is beautiful! (Fijian sarong-style garment)

   Usage

   The sulu is Fiji's traditional wraparound garment worn by men and women. Colorful patterns are characteristic.

   Grammar Note

   The "i-" prefix marks objects/items. Wearing a sulu is sometimes required when visiting villages.

6. Na meke e totoka sara!

   Na me-ke e to-to-ka sa-ra

   The meke (traditional dance) is amazing!

   Usage

   Meke is Fiji's traditional song and dance. Witnessed at resort evenings and village visits.

   Grammar Note

   "Meke" combines song, dance, and storytelling. Men's and women's meke have distinct styles.

7. Na kokoda e vinaka sara!

   Na ko-ko-nda e vi-na-ka sa-ra

   The kokoda is wonderful!

   Usage

   Praising Fiji's signature dish. "Vinaka sara" means "very good" and can be used for food.

   Grammar Note

   "Vinaka" means "good" and "sara" is an intensifier ("very"). "E vinaka" is also how food is praised. "Marau" is a human feeling (glad), not a word for taste.

8. Na siganisucu e totoka sara!

   Na si-nga-ni-su-thu e to-to-ka sa-ra

   The sunset is truly beautiful!

   Usage

   Fiji's sunsets are world-famous. Views from the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands are particularly spectacular.

   Grammar Note

   "c"="th" so "sucu"="su-thu". "Sigani" = day/sun, "sucu" = descend/set. Literally "the sun descending".

9. Vinaka vakalevu ki na nomuni veikidavaki!

   Vi-na-ka va-ka-le-vu ki na no-mu-ni vei-ki-nda-va-ki

   Thank you very much for your wonderful hospitality!

   Usage

   The highest expression of gratitude for Fijian hospitality. Use at the end of a stay or after special treatment.

   Grammar Note

   "Veikidavaki" means "hospitality" (vei- is the reciprocal prefix). "d"="nd", so it is pronounced like "vei-ki-nda-va-ki". "Veivakatorocaketaki" means "development / progress", not hospitality.

10. E vinaka na nomuni vosa vakaviti!

    E vi-na-ka na no-mu-ni vo-sa va-ka-vi-ti

    Your Fijian is good!

    Usage

    Even a few words of Fijian will delight locals. Even just "Bula!" brings great joy to Fijians.

    Grammar Note

    "Viti" is the indigenous name for Fiji. The language is called "vosa vakaviti" (speech of Fiji) or simply referred to as "Viti".

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